Novices in Developing Countries

In financially poorer communities where parents and children have a hard time to afford schooling, our monastic system focuses on transferring soft skills (English language, personal and community skills). Young people learn in the English language and assimilate Wayist teaching at the same time. Wayist Satsang aim to be resources to the community at-large, providing philosophical and religious training and practice opportunities, turning out skilled workers. To take the vow of novices one must be no less than sixteen years old and have advanced as far as possible (for the family to afford) in school. If under 20-years old the satsang requires parental permission to host the young person. To be ordained as nun/monk one must be no less than 20 years old and have had ample opportunity to experience the ‘outside’ world in order to satisfy the satsang master that ordination is requested not because of a lack of worldly knowledge, but based on informed choice.

A satsang is considered to be successful should novices later join the secular community, capitalize on their newly acquired skills and pursue the fruitful life of a lay devotee. Lifelong ordination is not discouraged but it is acknowledged that only a select few are called to that level of service.